Apathy in Frontotemporal Degeneration: Neuroanatomical Evidence of Impaired Goal-directed Behavior.

摘要: Background: Apathy, the major manifestation of impaired goal-directed behavior (GDB), is most common neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration (bvFTD). The and biological mechanisms apathy, however, are not well understood. We hypothesized that GDB has multiple components – including at least initiation, planning motivation supported by a network frontal brain regions. In this study, we examined hypothesis evaluating selective breakdown in bvFTD, relating these deficits to grey matter (GM) atrophy white (WM) integrity. Methods: Eighteen apathetic bvFTD participants 17 healthy controls completed Philadelphia Apathy Computerized Test (PACT). This test quantifies each three contribute apathy. then used regression analyses relate PACT scores GM reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) bvFTD. Results: Compared controls, demonstrated significant impairments Regression related component disease specific structures WM tracts. Poor initiation thus was anterior cingulate FA cingulum. Planning impairment dorsolateral prefrontal cortex superior longitudinal fasciculus. orbitofrontal uncinate Conclusions: patients have difficulty GDB. These findings consistent hypotheses encompasses processes, large-scale neural within portions lobe, degradation any one regions may